This creamy Tuscan salmon is made with pan-seared salmon fillets smothered in a creamy sundried tomato and spinach sauce. Perfect for special occasions or weeknights!
Tuscan Butter Salmon
We’re taking the classic Tuscan chicken and turning it into a lighter, flakier dish using pan seared salmon! If you’ve ever had marry me chicken you’ll know that the delicious sundried tomato cream sauce is something you want to put on everything!
This Tuscan salmon recipe is elegant, incredibly flavorful, and ready to serve in just 30 minutes. It’s a meal you can be proud to serve guests on special occasions and your family during the busy week!
Why This Recipe Works
- A little different. This is a great go-to dish when you want something a little out of the ordinary!
- Ridiculously good! Tender flaky salmon simmered in a cream sauce with sundried tomatoes and spinach has so much flavor.
Tuscan Salmon Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Salmon: Use either a 1-pound salmon filet that you cut yourself, or pick up four smaller salmon filets. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Aromatics and seasoning: Onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning are all you need.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Drain before chopping so you’re not adding too much oil into the sauce.
- For the broth: Heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese
- Baby spinach: Wash and dry the baby spinach leaves beforehand so they’re ready to go when you need them.
- For garnish: Fresh parsley.
Substitutions and Variations
There are a few things you can substitute in this creamy Tuscan salmon recipe:
- Sauce: Use dry white wine instead of chicken broth. Or use half of either one.
- Tomatoes: If you don’t enjoy sundried tomatoes, use cherry tomatoes instead or leave them out.
- Spinach:The same goes for the fresh baby spinach, if you want a different green veggie, try broccoli in its place.
- Other veggies: Fresh mushrooms or bell peppers can also be added with the onions for extra veggies.
- Pasta: If you’re interested in making Tuscan chicken pasta using salmon instead, it’s another good one I think you’ll love.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Salmon
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, place the salmon skin side down for 3-5 minutes (don’t move it!) until golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for 1 minute then set aside.
Use the same skillet to cook the onions in melted butter until soft and translucent. Add the garlic to cook for another minute and then add the tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
Slowly whisk in chicken broth, scraping bottom of the pan. Whisk in the heavy cream and 1/2 cup of cheese. Allow it to simmer and thicken up then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the spinach to the sauce, it will wilt in no time. Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Enjoy it while it’s hot garnished with fresh parsley.
Expert Tips
- To get a really good sear, make sure to pat the salmon dry to get rid of any excess moisture.
- For even cooking, make sure your fish filets are cut to an even thickness and size.
- Always add salmon to a hot pan, otherwise the skin will stick when you try to flip it.
- For a thicker Tuscan salmon sauce, at 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch while the sauce is simmering.
- To brighten up the flavors a bit, add a squirt of lemon juice to the finished sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Keep any leftover pieces in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave or the stovetop. You may need to add a splash of broth or cream if you find it’s gotten too thick.
Your best option is to use a thermometer if you’ve got pieces that are quite thick, as it can be harder to tell. You’ll also want to note that leaner pieces will cook faster than fattier ones. Once the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees at the thickest part of the fish, it’s done.
Creamy Salmon Serving Suggestions
We love this Tuscany salmon served over pasta or rice. The veggies in the dish itself are sometimes enough but when I want to have a few extra sides, we’ll do something like a Caesar salad or roasted asparagus.
More creamy dinner recipes you will love include chicken fettuccine Alfredo, chicken marsala and chicken piccata.
More Salmon Recipes
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Tuscan Salmon Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper , to taste
- 1 pound salmon filet , or four filets
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes , drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning , more to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth , or dry white wine
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1-2 cups baby spinach
- Fresh parsley , for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season: Pat salmon dry with a paper towel, and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the salmon.
- Cook Salmon: Place salmon, skin side down, for 3-5 minutes. Sear until golden browned, flip, and sear other side for one minute. Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté: In the same pan, melt butter and sauté the onion until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add in tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
- Creamy Sauce: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth. Then whisk in the heavy cream and 1/2 cup cheese. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for a few minutes to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine: Add spinach and allow to wilt. Return the cooked salmon to the skillet. Spoon over top.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, American, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Italian, Nut-Free, One Pot
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This salmon had so much flavor and was so yummy for a weeknight dinner!
Absolutely loved this! The sun-dried tomatoes and spinach made it so flavorful, and the creamy Parmesan sauce was so good. My family enjoyed every bite at our Sunday dinner.
YUM!! Now, I could eat this weekly! I love the sauce. It adds so much flavor to the salmon.